plate no. 5093

Self-Portrait at Professor Jacobson's Hospital

Edvard Munch, 1909

oil, canvasExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurehospitalchairwindowinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to convey mood and texture. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with loose, painterly strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up the background with horizontal brushstrokes, varying the colors and values to create depth.
step 04
Focus on the face, using short, directional brushstrokes to define the planes and features.
step 05
Develop the clothing and chair, paying attention to the folds and contours.
step 06
Add details to the window and balcony, suggesting the environment without over-defining it.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, adjusting the colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of light.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the blues in the suit by mixing ultramarine with black and white. Achieve the background yellows by mixing cadmium yellow with white and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques